Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 4,125, David Goodwyn, Va.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Va.
Goodwyn, David
R. 4,125
CONTENTS

1847 David Goodwin junior claim

State of Tennessee, Bedford county court,
November 1832.
In this 7 th day of November 1832 personally appeared in open court before the Justices of the court of pleas & quarter sessions now sitting David Goodwin a resident of the said county of Bedford and State aforesaid who being first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of bonifit passed Nov 7 th 1832.
That he returned the service of the the  the  the  the as a militia man in the State of Virginia - That the commencement of the war with Great Britain the militia of Virginia was called and the classes numbered, that he belonged to the 4 th class of the militia of Chesterfield county in said State - That the captain of said 4 th class was Richard Barks of said county - That soon after the war it became his turn to be called out - That he was called and marched under said Barks and joined the regiments commanded by Col. Robert Good - was stationed part of his time at the barracks near to where Fort Hood, then recently abandoned and destroyed by the British, had stood, - and a part of his time at Richmond - That he served six months under this call - That he was out several times afterwards during the war but can not now state (his memory much failing him) with certainty any particulars - except that he served under a Capt Richard Hill - That he has no documentary evidence - nor does he now know of any one who can testify positively to his services - That he was born in the year 1749 according to his father's register in the said county of Chesterfield - That he will be 83 years of age this

25 th day of the present month - That he now resides in Bedford County in the State of Tennessee, is known to all his neighbors amongst whom is Samuel Phillips Esq. one of the Justices now presiding in said court, and Theodore F. Bedfords then a Senator in the State Legislature of Tennessee who were inclined to give character for veracity and the general reputation of my being a revolutionary soldier - In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal this 10 th day of 7 th month 1832
David Goodwin State of Tennessee
Bedford County court session 1832.
This day personally appeared in open court Archibald Goodwin a citizen of said county who being duly qualified as the law directs deposes & states that David Goodwin the foregoing applicant is his father - That he the applicant was born in the year 1770 - That he was old enough to recollect that his father served two tours as a militia man during the revolutionary war - and was always reported in the neighborhood where he was raised in Chesterfield county as a revolutionary soldier.
Arch d Goodwin
Sworn to and affirmed 7 th month 1832
John W. Hester clerk

State of Tennessee Bedford County court Nov. Session 1832.
This day personally appeared in open court Thos. Bradford late a Senator in the Legislature of the State of Tennessee & Samuel Phillips one of the Justices of the Peace now presiding in said court Now sitting, who being duly qualified as the law directs, deponeth & saith that David Goodwin the applicant aforesaid for a pension has re- sided near them for a great many years - That he is informed them and generally believing to have been a soldier of the revolution - That he is a man of veracity and is entitled to credit and that from their knowledge of him there is inducement to give full faith & credit to the Statements contained in his application for pension. In witness whereof they have hereunto set their hands & seals this 7 th day of Nov. 1832.
Thos Bradford
Samuel Phillips Justice of the Peace
Attest
And the said court do hereby declare their opinion after their investigation of the matter and after putting the mere regis- tered by the war department must that the above applicant David Goodwin was a revolutionary soldier and served as he states - And the court further certifies that it appears to them that Melchiah Brown who has signed an affidavit in substantia as a clergyman resident in said county of Bedford and that Thos. F. Bradford & Samuel Phillips Esqrs. are also re- sidents of said county and an credible persons and that the Statements are entitled to credit.
Samuel Phillips
John Brim & Strong

I James M. ... of ... in the State of ... hereby certify that the papers contain the original proceedings of the Court in the matter of the application of David Goodwin for a pension. The original thereof has been set by me and seal of office this 7th day of November 1882
C. H. ...

State of Tennessee Bedford county
This day personally appeared in open court Melchisedech Brum a minister of The United Baptists who being duly qualified states that he resides in the county of Bedford in the State of Tennessee, that he for many resided in Halifax in Virginia the about thirty years ago in Virginia he knew David Good- win an applicant for revolutionary pension that he was then understood to have been a revolutionary soldier — that he has known the said Goodwin in Bedford county where he is also reported to have been a soldier of the revolution In testimony whereof he has hereunto set his hand & seal this 7 th day of November 1832.
Known to in open Court subscribed Melch. Brum. (MB)
7 Dec. 1832
Mr. William H. M.

State of Tennessee, Bedford county,
June 6th 1833.
Personally appeared before me the undersigned a Minister of the Gospel for the county of said Bedford David Goodwin who being duly qualified as the law directs, on oath and with the by reason of old age and the consequent loss of memory he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his services here according to the best of his recollection he recited not the exact terms of the private part of the Bible as set forth in his original application or declaration and another portion of it under Col. Harris Good a balance even including the Virginia militia called from Chesterfield county against the British and for which he claims a pension - for witness whereof he has hereunto set his hand & affixed his seal this day and date above written.
David Goodwin
Sworn to and subscribed before me.
Samuel Phillips J.P. State of Tennessee, Bedford county.
Samuel Phillips a Minister of the Gospel for the county of Bedford do hereby certify that Asa Hubbard Goodwin, Rev. T. Bedford, and the Rev. Melch. Brown the witnesses introduced and whose affidavits recited having the original declaration of David Goodwin for pension are credible persons - and that full faith should be given to their statements. For witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal this 6th day of June 1833.
Samuel Phillips J.P.

State of Tennessee
I James M. Nisbet Clerk of the Court of pleas and quarter sessions of the county of Bedford in the state of Tennessee do hereby certify that Lemuel Phelps before whom David Goodwin made oath to the proper amendment to his original indictment for the purpose of obtaining a perjury as a soldier of the revolutionary War is an exact true copy of the proceedings in the the county of Bedford duly examined therein and that full faith & credit ought to be given to his official acts as such in being whereof I have here- unto set my hand & affixed the seal of the Court at office in Shelbyville this 7 th day of June 1833
J. M. Nisbet Clerk

No 23847- David Goodwin Flm.
e. i. j. surfer
e
Hon. J. E. Polk H. R. Samuel M. McKittrick Purdue County Cour. Flm.

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
May 11
1833
Sir:
The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has been examined, and the papers are herewith returned. The following is a statement of your case in a tabular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules, and the subjjoined notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed, before a pension can be allowed. The notes and the regulations will shew what is necessary to be done. Those points to which your attention is more particularly directed, you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (thus: { ). You will, when you return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and you will, by complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim.
A Statement, shewing the Service of David Goodwin Bedford Co
   Period when the service was rendered. Duration of the claimant's service. Rank of the claimant. Names and Rank of the Company officers under whom he served. Names and Rank of the General and Field officers. Battles in which the applicant was engaged. Country through which he marched. Place of abode when he entered the service, and age at the present period. Evidence by which the declaration is supported.   Years. Months. Days.     1775. 6. Priv. Capt's Baugh Col. Goodwin None Va. Age 83 No Traditionary Living Witness   At several posts - On a raid Hill { {  
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS, Commissioner of Pensions.

REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832.
The following regulations have been adopted: This law has been construed to extend, as well to the line, as to every branch of the Staff of the Army, and to include under the terms "Continental Line," "State troops," "militia," and "volunteers," all persons enlisted, drafted, or who volunteered and who were bound to military service, but not those who were occasionally employed with the army upon civil contracts, such as Clerks to Commissaries and to Store Keepers, &c. Teamsters, Boatmen, &c. Persons who served on board of Private Armed Vessels are also excluded from the benefits of the law, as well as persons who turned out as patrols, or were engaged in guarding particular places at night, and were not recognized as being in actual military service.
Four general classes of cases are embraced in this law:
 1. The Regular Troops.  2. The State Troops, Militia, and Volunteers.  3. Persons employed in the Naval service.  4. Indian Spies. 
As rolls of the regular troops in the Revolutionary War exist in this Department, all persons, claiming the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, musicians or privates, will in the first instance, make application by transmitting the following declaration, which will be made before a Court of Record of the County where such applicant resides. And every Court having by law a seal and Clerk is considered a Court of Record.
DECLARATION,
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832.
State, Territory, or District of } ss. County of }
On this _____ day of _____ personally appeared (a) before A. B. a resident (b) of _____ in the county of _____ and State, Territory or District of _____ aged (c) _____ years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d) _____, with _____ and served in the _____ (e) regiment of the _____ line, under the following named officers:
[Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers; the time he left the service; (and if he served under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his officers;) the town or county and State in which he resided when he entered the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged, and the country through which he marched. [This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c.]
He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of the Agency in the State of _____ Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid. A. B.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states.
I _____ of the Court of _____ do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of _____ for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this _____ day of _____ &c.
If, on examination of the proper record the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (j) points out.
Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers or Militia, except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz:
(k) We, A. B., a Clergyman, residing in the _____ and C. D. residing in (the same) _____ hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with _____, who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be _____ years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that A. B., who has signed the preceding certificate, is a clergyman, resident in the _____ and that C. D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the _____ and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I _____ Clerk of the Court of _____ do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of _____ for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this _____ day of _____ &c.
Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commission; but if neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will then procure, if possible, the testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledge of the services of the applicant, and such circumstances connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light upon the transaction.
If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration (l) and he will also, whether he produce such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts, which can be useful in the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person

will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case. The facts stated will afford one of the principal means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be attempted; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be expected. All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County, in which they reside, and the subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his case.
The Court will propound the following (m) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State troops of Virginia.
 1. Where and in what year were you born?  2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it?  3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war, and where do you now live?  4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? And if a substitute, for whom?  5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served; such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your services.  6. { To a Soldier. { Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given and what has become of it? { To an Officer. { Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what has become of it?  7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution. 
The Court will see that he answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant.
The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court, without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons -one of whom should be the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion. If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify, to the character and standing of other persons, giving such certificates.
The traditional evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the enquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject.
Applicants unable to appear in Court by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the proper county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform, and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court.
Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or by a Justice of the peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is his genuine signature.
No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the opinion of the Court upon the whole matter.
[a] The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will follow the rule laid down for his guidance.
[b] The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not conforming to the rule.
[c] The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.
[d] The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served.
[e] Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the claim cannot be had. Every claimant must state, with precision, the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so accurate as to enable the Department to determine to what extent of pension, he is entitled. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should affirm his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
"Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service; but, according to the best of his recollection, he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades:—For _____ year _____ months, and _____ days, I served as a _____. For _____ months and _____ days, I served as a _____; and for such service I claim a pension."
It is important, in all cases, to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months , is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state that they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours, the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must, in every case, be clearly shown under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
[f] The law makes the relinquishment indispensable.
[g] The opinion of the Court is always required.
[h] The Clerk must give his certificate in every case.
[i] The Clerk must affix his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he has no public seal of office, the certificate of a Member of Congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.
Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other papers authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
Proof of Service.
[j] In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimant's entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
[k] The notes from [a] to [j] are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule in note [j] applies to continental troops only.
[l] This traditional evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[m] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[n] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.
J. H. Astor Deane C. Clark

Suspended
See letter to Hon. J. R. Polk
14 Feb. 1835
Let to Hon. G. W. Jones 27 Dec 52
4125

Acts of July 14, 1862, and March 3, 1873.
4128
P. O.
David Goodwin
Service: _____
REJECTED
Enlisted: _____, 18
Discharged: _____, 18
Application filed: _____, 18
Alleges: _____
Re-enlisted: _____
Attorney: _____
P. O. _____
_____ Recognized. _____ Contract.
_____ Cert. of Dis. Searched for _____, 18